NEW DELHI, Dec 24 - An ambitious India-Myanmar joint project aimed at enhancing connectivity and infrastructure is under threat from an insurgent group based in Myanmar.
The development programme � Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport (KMTT) project � which will connect Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Kolkata in India, is under threat from insurgent group Arakan Army, suspected to be backed by China. The project is expected to reduce the distance from Kolkata to Sittwe by approximately 1,328 km.
The Ministry of Home Affairs recently stated that the project has been delayed due to the �adverse security situation�.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs expressed displeasure on the slow progress of the KMTT project that is being piloted and funded by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Ministry of Home Affairs observed that the security situation in the region and lack of access from the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram were the main reasons for the delay. �The adverse security situation at the project site has further deteriorated in the recent past. Access to the project site from the Indian side has been permitted by the Government of Myanmar after much effort and construction activities are currently under way from this end. The project is being closely monitored,� the Home ministry stated.
It also stated that the �acute financial crisis� faced by the construction companies has also resulted in delays.
Earlier, the Intelligence Bureau had alerted the government that supply of weapons from China was reaching insurgent group Arakan Army and it was posing a threat to the Kaladan project setting up camps bordering the southern tip of Mizoram in India. � IANS
